In memory of William Morris

Photo of William MorrisWilliam Morris was born on 26 May 1882. His parents were Captain John and Elizabeth Morris, of Tanyfedw, Barmouth. He attended the Council School and later the County School in Barmouth, and was noted for his fondness of reading.

He was a member of the Mawddach Lodge of Oddfellows (similar to Freemasons), and became a grand master of the Dolgellau district.

He enrolled as a Private in October 1914, in the same month as his younger brothers, Owen and Francis. William’s talents were soon spotted, and within months he was sent to train as an officer. He left for France in July 1916 and his courage on the battlefield led to rapid promotion. He became a Captain with the West Yorkshire Regiment, 12th Battalion.

On 14 April 1917, he was hit in the face by a bullet from a sniper hiding in a tree. His superior, Major Thompson, wrote that William was “the life and soul of the attack on the left” and had been “gallantly leading his men to their final objective” when the bullet struck.

William was 34 years old. He was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, near Boulogne, France.

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